Top 6 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Santa Barbara, CA in 2026
Santa Barbara is a picturesque town located just up the California coast from Los Angeles and is a popular vacation destination for state residents and tourists. If you like to bring your pup along on vacation, Santa Barbara is an excellent choice due to the many dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, and other attractions in the area. Several Santa Barbara beaches also welcome canine visitors, including some off-leash spots! Here are the top 6 dog-friendly beaches in Santa Barbara, CA.
The Top 6 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Santa Barbara, California
1. Arroyo Burro Beach
| ️ Address: | 2981 Cliff Dr. Santa Barbara, CA 93109 |
| Open Times: | 8 am–sunset |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes, in designated areas only |
- Known as “Hendry’s Beach” locally
- Dogs are allowed in the whole park but off-leash in marked areas only
- Multiple amenities, including a restaurant, dog wash station, restrooms, and showers
- A popular spot for paddleboarding, surfing, swimming, and fishing
- Free beach wheelchairs are available
2. Shoreline Park Beach
| ️ Address: | 1377 Shoreline Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93109 |
| Open Times: | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes, in designated areas only |
- Accessible via a staircase from Shoreline Park
- Narrow beach, only accessible at low tide
- Dogs allowed off-leash on the west side of the staircase
- Playground, picnic area, grills, and restrooms are available
- Keep dogs on leashes in the park itself
3. Summerland Beach
| ️ Address: | Evans Ave and Wallace Ave, Summerland, CA 93067 |
| Open Times: | 8 AM–sunset |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- Accessible from Lookout Park
- Parking, restrooms, picnic areas, a dog wash, and a playground are located in the park
- No amenities on the beach
- Stay alert—horseback riding is allowed on this beach
- Located about 6 miles east of Santa Barbara
4. Mesa Lane Beach
| ️ Address: | Edgewater Way and Mesa Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93109 |
| Open Times: | Sunrise–10 PM |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes |
- A small, local beach that’s usually not crowded
- No restrooms or other facilities
- Bring your own waste bags
- Beach is accessed by a flight of steps from the cliffs
- Neighborhood street parking only
5. Thousand Steps Beach
| ️ Address: | 1429 Shoreline Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93109 |
| Open Times: | 24 hours |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes |
- Narrow shoreline, especially at high tide
- Accessed by a flight of steps (but only about 150!)
- No restrooms or other facilities
- Neighborhood street parking only
- A beautiful spot to watch the sunset
6. West Ellwood Beach
| ️ Address: | 7686 Hollister Ave, Goleta, CA 93117 |
| Open Times: | 4 am–10 pm |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- A generally uncrowded beach located near a butterfly preserve
- Parking lot available, but it’s a long walk to the beach
- On-leash dogs are only allowed on part of the beach, follow signs closely
- No facilities
- Beach is often stained by natural oil seepage
You might also like: Top 7 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Bodega Bay, CA
Conclusion
Because you’ll be sharing these six (often narrow) Santa Barbara beaches with others, make sure you always pick up after your pup and keep them under strict voice control when playing off-leash. Available facilities vary widely between the beaches as well, so plan ahead and bring your own waste bags, water, snacks, and shade. A little preparation will ensure you and your dog enjoy the gorgeous Santa Barbara shores safely and happily.
See also:
Sources
Featured Image Credit: BELINDA_FLORES, Shutterstock
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Elizabeth Gray is a lifelong lover of all animals great and small. She got her first cat at 5 years old and at 14, she started working for her local veterinarian. Elizabeth spent more than 20 years working as a veterinary nurse before stepping away to become a stay-at-home parent to her daughter. Now, she is excited to share her hard-earned knowledge (literally--she has scars) with the readers. Elizabeth lives in Iowa with her family, including her two furry kids, Linnard, a husky mix and Algernon, the worldʻs most patient cat. When not writing, she enjoys reading, watching all sports but especially soccer, and spending time outdoors with her family.
